A tragic humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Kaduna State, where no fewer than 2,800 former textile workers and their family members have reportedly died while waiting for N35 billion in unpaid gratuities and compensation. This information comes from the Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textile Workers of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter.
The outstanding entitlements are owed by four collapsed textile companies: Kaduna Textiles Limited, which ceased operations in 2002; Nortex and Fine Tex, which shut down in 2003; and Arewa Textiles Plc, which closed in December 2004. The abrupt closures left more than 9,000 employees jobless and financially stranded, initiating decades of severe hardship.
Operating under the aegis of the Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textile Workers of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, the affected workers have made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in their prolonged struggle.
In a joint statement on Sunday, May 17, the coalition’s President/Chairman, Jeibe Wordam, and Secretary, Samuel Ibrahim, lamented that despite years of appeals, protests, and engagements with relevant authorities, the managements of the affected companies have failed to demonstrate genuine commitment toward settling the outstanding terminal benefits.
The coalition further decried the worsening living conditions of the former workers, noting that several have become impoverished and hopeless, while widows and children of deceased workers face severe deprivation, including an inability to afford basic healthcare and education.
This suffering has been compounded by the rising cost of living, leaving many affected workers, now above 60 years old, unable to secure employment or establish small businesses due to a total lack of capital.
The former workers recalled that they had previously petitioned the House of Representatives during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. They were invited to Abuja for a hearing, but the tenure of the Ninth National Assembly ended without resolving the matter. The group is now appealing to President Tinubu, the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Northern Governors’ Forum, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and international sympathisers to assist in facilitating the urgent payment of the N35 billion owed to them.
